As an aside, when Marvel Comics began publishing the WW2-era comic 'Sgt. Fury' in the 60s, they received death threats from American Neo-Nazis. I reserve every right to be as troubled by German nationalism, then and now, as I am by Islamic fundamentalism.
Labour guy on Daily Politics drowning over Labour-run NHS in Wales....
Yes this does happen for the minute or so of a programme where the attention shifts to the NHS Wales. But it does come across to me as too brief to resonate with the voters. Burnham on Sky with Eamonn Holmes was a car crash, but I fear not long enough.
Mr. Indigo, reminds me of the problem with book reviews (especially self-published). Get good reviews and people assume it's friends and family, or even paid for. Get bad reviews, and people believe them and don't buy the book.
Yes, I hear about this endlessly, my sister is a romance novelist!
Bangladesh I would think. Nigeria has had major problems. Don't think there have been Islamist problems in Malaysia, although there are in Thailand. Are the Uigher problems in Western Chine religious or genuine nationalist?
Labour guy on Daily Politics drowning over Labour-run NHS in Wales....
Yes this does happen for the minute or so of a programme where the attention shifts to the NHS Wales. But it does come across to me as too brief to resonate with the voters. Burnham on Sky with Eamonn Holmes was a car crash, but I fear not long enough.
Didn't the Beeb show figures last night that suggest it's NI with by far the worst waiting times (something like only 80% patients seen within the target time).
"A former UKIP general election candidate who quit over offensive remarks made in a phone call will contest the seat as an independent.
Kerry Smith is to announce he will run in the Essex seat of Basildon South and East Thurrock, the BBC has learned."
Splitter.
He will be the Party of the Independent Kingdom United ?
An Independence from Europe?
But Mr Smith must know the UKIP strategy for winning the seat, which should cheer up the Tories, as he splits the Purple vote.
That said, on the down side, I've heard from a few sources Mr Smith is an appalling person, and should be a terrible candidate.
I wonder if there is any chance Ukip wouldn't put up a candidate?
Can't see that happening.
What price would you make Independent winning the seat?
No chance. I doubt if Kerry Smith would even get into four figures, against a UKIP candidate. And, UKIP will surely run against him.
When the public see two ferrets fighting in a sack they will not be tempted to look inside and tend towards throwing the sack away.
That's why the combined vote for the Conservatives and Labour is so low. Labour denounces the Conservatives as selfish and heartless; the Conservatives denounce Labour as incompetent. The public conclude that they're both right.
As an aside, when Marvel Comics began publishing the WW2-era comic 'Sgt. Fury' in the 60s, they received death threats from American Neo-Nazis. I reserve every right to be as troubled by German nationalism, then and now, as I am by Islamic fundamentalism.
When the American Neo-Nazis actually start killing people all around the world and say, crashing aircraft into buildings, then I think you can be as concerned.
"A former UKIP general election candidate who quit over offensive remarks made in a phone call will contest the seat as an independent.
Kerry Smith is to announce he will run in the Essex seat of Basildon South and East Thurrock, the BBC has learned."
Splitter.
He will be the Party of the Independent Kingdom United ?
An Independence from Europe?
But Mr Smith must know the UKIP strategy for winning the seat, which should cheer up the Tories, as he splits the Purple vote.
That said, on the down side, I've heard from a few sources Mr Smith is an appalling person, and should be a terrible candidate.
I wonder if there is any chance Ukip wouldn't put up a candidate?
Can't see that happening.
What price would you make Independent winning the seat?
No chance. I doubt if Kerry Smith would even get into four figures, against a UKIP candidate. And, UKIP will surely run against him.
When the public see two ferrets fighting in a sack they will not be tempted to look inside and tend towards throwing the sack away.
That's why the combined vote for the Conservatives and Labour is so low. Labour denounces the Conservatives as selfish and heartless; the Conservatives denounce Labour as incompetent. The public conclude that they're both right.
The final Sunil ELBOW for 2014 had Lab+Con on 65.8%.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Awful news. The right reaction should involve a defiant defence of free speech, backed by armed protection (where appropriate) to such publications in future.
Sadly, I doubt that will happen in this case. What will happen instead is quiet (or not so quiet) encouragement by the government to not be so controversial in future, a lot of handwringing and a further rise in support for the FN.
The response will be more immigration, more multiculturalism and more hate crimes legislation. Hollywood and the media must redouble its efforts to present the world not as it is.
Looks like the Algerian war has restarted, in metropolitan France now.
"A former UKIP general election candidate who quit over offensive remarks made in a phone call will contest the seat as an independent.
Kerry Smith is to announce he will run in the Essex seat of Basildon South and East Thurrock, the BBC has learned."
Splitter.
He will be the Party of the Independent Kingdom United ?
An Independence from Europe?
But Mr Smith must know the UKIP strategy for winning the seat, which should cheer up the Tories, as he splits the Purple vote.
That said, on the down side, I've heard from a few sources Mr Smith is an appalling person, and should be a terrible candidate.
I wonder if there is any chance Ukip wouldn't put up a candidate?
Can't see that happening.
What price would you make Independent winning the seat?
No chance. I doubt if Kerry Smith would even get into four figures, against a UKIP candidate. And, UKIP will surely run against him.
When the public see two ferrets fighting in a sack they will not be tempted to look inside and tend towards throwing the sack away.
That's why the combined vote for the Conservatives and Labour is so low. Labour denounces the Conservatives as selfish and heartless; the Conservatives denounce Labour as incompetent. The public conclude that they're both right.
Yes NOTA wins. Hence the rise of UKIP, SNP and the Greens. Plaid's English Leader clearly not helping them. :-)
What's the chance Marine Le Pen wins the next presidential election now?
Not high, if her opponent in the Second Round is Sarkozy. If she has a left-wing opponent in Round 2, then about evens.
Not only has FN support risen, from about 10-15% under her father, to c.20% today, French right wing voters are now far readier to back FN in the second round than they used to be. So, I'd expect a much larger FN presence in the National Assembly in 2017.
Labour guy on Daily Politics drowning over Labour-run NHS in Wales....
Yes this does happen for the minute or so of a programme where the attention shifts to the NHS Wales. But it does come across to me as too brief to resonate with the voters. Burnham on Sky with Eamonn Holmes was a car crash, but I fear not long enough.
Didn't the Beeb show figures last night that suggest it's NI with by far the worst waiting times (something like only 80% patients seen within the target time).
Yes the NI is worse. Its a relationship linked to the degree of socialism present in the country....
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Francois Hollande had better reassure the French (or "Frogs" to some on here.... you know who you are) that these terrorists are monsters, not muslims, else there could be all sorts of trouble
Well, they are monsters. Probably Moslems too, but we'll have to get that confirmed. Whether they did it because they are monsters or because they are Moslems, or because to be a Moslem you have to be a monster, is something that will no doubt be debated by all and sundry on here and elsewhere for a long time to come.
What I am sure we all hope is that they are caught swiftly and severely punished for this barbarism. It is an attack on free speech, of course. But what it also is much more than that is cold-blooded, cowardly murder. Eleven have been killed, dozens more - friends, family and witnesses - will be directly and permanently affected.
Oh sorry I shouldn't have assumed they were "Moslems"
Why not? I did. But then most of us did when Breivik murdered hundreds in Norway.
Rape was largely unheard of in Scandinavia until recent years. Who is responsible for all those?
The attack in France will, rightly, dominate coverage
Cue all the 'we stand in solidarity' b8ll from all and sundry.
Meanwhile, no publishing house will ever dare to do something like that again.
I am not sure that anonymous posters on internet message boards have the right to criticise people who work in publishing houses for taking into consideration the possibility that they or their colleagues might be killed for printing images or writing about Mohammed.
If you wish you can launch a website in your own name that can be traced to you and publish much material of whatever kind as you like in the name of free speech.
Self-censorship is common, especially among PC comedians. You 're allowed to take the piss out of Christianity but who of them try it against Islam? The BBC would disapprove - it smacks of racism.
I remember an old phrase from childhood "You can't say that, you'll get shot." It was said in jest then.
It's a sad day, and I'm sure most of the Muslim community will be horrified. But a small proportion will be cheering. That's the sad part.
It won't be an odd demented monster either. ISIS are not a one-man band
Yes, I'm making assumptions and I'll be pleased to be wrong but ...
What's the chance Marine Le Pen wins the next presidential election now?
Not high, if her opponent in the Second Round is Sarkozy. If she has a left-wing opponent in Round 2, then about evens.
Not only has FN support risen, from about 10-15% under her father, to c.20% today, French right wing voters are now far readier to back FN in the second round than they used to be. So, I'd expect a much larger FN presence in the National Assembly in 2017.
Le Pen is around 30-31% at the moment for the First Round.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Awful news. The right reaction should involve a defiant defence of free speech, backed by armed protection (where appropriate) to such publications in future.
Sadly, I doubt that will happen in this case. What will happen instead is quiet (or not so quiet) encouragement by the government to not be so controversial in future, a lot of handwringing and a further rise in support for the FN.
I hope that media publications around the world stand in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo by publishing factual criticism of Muhammad.
I hope those sanctimonious idiots calling all those regular Germans marching against rising Islamism in Europe Nazis now apologise.
Don't hold your breath.
Tom Newton Dunn retweeted a suggestion that the The Sun should put Charlie Hebdo's last tweet on their front page tomorrow
Must be tempting to phone in sick if you work there
Since none of the British press had the balls to publish the Jyllens-Posten cartoons (and their exact content was surely of substantial legitimate public interest, never mind journalistic value) then I won't be holding my breath.
What's the chance Marine Le Pen wins the next presidential election now?
Not high, if her opponent in the Second Round is Sarkozy. If she has a left-wing opponent in Round 2, then about evens.
Not only has FN support risen, from about 10-15% under her father, to c.20% today, French right wing voters are now far readier to back FN in the second round than they used to be. So, I'd expect a much larger FN presence in the National Assembly in 2017.
Le Pen is around 30-31% at the moment for the First Round.
I was thinking of FN support generally. Certainly Le Pen outpolls her own party.
If you wish you can launch a website in your own name that can be traced to you and publish much material of whatever kind as you like in the name of free speech.
For goodness sake SO I'm not criticising the publishing houses.
I'm criticising the government that allows them to be dreadfully intimidated. They should be able to publish what they like in knowledge that their safety is guaranteed.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Francois Hollande had better reassure the French (or "Frogs" to some on here.... you know who you are) that these terrorists are monsters, not muslims, else there could be all sorts of trouble
Well, they are monsters. Probably Moslems too, but we'll have to get that confirmed. Whether they did it because they are monsters or because they are Moslems, or because to be a Moslem you have to be a monster, is something that will no doubt be debated by all and sundry on here and elsewhere for a long time to come.
What I am sure we all hope is that they are caught swiftly and severely punished for this barbarism. It is an attack on free speech, of course. But what it also is much more than that is cold-blooded, cowardly murder. Eleven have been killed, dozens more - friends, family and witnesses - will be directly and permanently affected.
Oh sorry I shouldn't have assumed they were "Moslems"
Why not? I did. But then most of us did when Breivik murdered hundreds in Norway.
Rape was largely unheard of in Scandinavia until recent years. Who is responsible for all those?
Gays, Putin and the Pope .... but not necessarily in that order.
If you wish you can launch a website in your own name that can be traced to you and publish much material of whatever kind as you like in the name of free speech.
For goodness sake SO I'm not criticising the publishing houses.
I'm criticising the government that allows them to be dreadfully intimidated. They should be able to publish what they like in knowledge that their safety is guaranteed.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Francois Hollande had better reassure the French (or "Frogs" to some on here.... you know who you are) that these terrorists are monsters, not muslims, else there could be all sorts of trouble
Well, they are monsters. Probably Moslems too, but we'll have to get that confirmed. Whether they did it because they are monsters or because they are Moslems, or because to be a Moslem you have to be a monster, is something that will no doubt be debated by all and sundry on here and elsewhere for a long time to come.
What I am sure we all hope is that they are caught swiftly and severely punished for this barbarism. It is an attack on free speech, of course. But what it also is much more than that is cold-blooded, cowardly murder. Eleven have been killed, dozens more - friends, family and witnesses - will be directly and permanently affected.
Oh sorry I shouldn't have assumed they were "Moslems"
Why not? I did. But then most of us did when Breivik murdered hundreds in Norway.
Rape was largely unheard of in Scandinavia until recent years. Who is responsible for all those?
12.27 The Telegraph's Henry Samuel reports: Charb (Stéphane Charbonnier), the news director of Charlie Hebdo, is in critical condition Paris on maximum terror alert, with press outlets, department stores, places of worship and public transport receiving "reinforced protection", says prime ministerial office. Wednesday's attack is the worst in France in 50 years.
Them 20,000 protestors in Dresden...remember them??
We should, because it is going to be 200,000 next time around.
"...One German in eight would join an anti-Muslim march if a rapidly-growing protest movement organized one in their home towns, according to an opinion poll published on Thursday."
Appalling events. Latest issue of the satirical magazine had picture of of controversial French novelist Michel Houellebecq. His latest book is extreme even by his standards by all accounts.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Awful news. The right reaction should involve a defiant defence of free speech, backed by armed protection (where appropriate) to such publications in future.
Sadly, I doubt that will happen in this case. What will happen instead is quiet (or not so quiet) encouragement by the government to not be so controversial in future, a lot of handwringing and a further rise in support for the FN.
I hope that media publications around the world stand in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo by publishing factual criticism of Muhammad.
I hope those sanctimonious idiots calling all those regular Germans marching against rising Islamism in Europe Nazis now apologise.
Don't hold your breath.
Tom Newton Dunn retweeted a suggestion that the The Sun should put Charlie Hebdo's last tweet on their front page tomorrow
Must be tempting to phone in sick if you work there
Since none of the British press had the balls to publish the Jyllens-Posten cartoons (and their exact content was surely of substantial legitimate public interest, never mind journalistic value) then I won't be holding my breath.
It's pretty clear why the press does not have the balls - as you put it - to publish this material. You can if you wish to, though.
I remember the Sunday Times reporting a few years back the British government having a General(s) research the security threats we would face in this century. He forecast a fourth generation conflict in Europe. So far, so correct.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Awful news. The right reaction should involve a defiant defence of free speech, backed by armed protection (where appropriate) to such publications in future.
Sadly, I doubt that will happen in this case. What will happen instead is quiet (or not so quiet) encouragement by the government to not be so controversial in future, a lot of handwringing and a further rise in support for the FN.
I hope that media publications around the world stand in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo by publishing factual criticism of Muhammad.
I hope those sanctimonious idiots calling all those regular Germans marching against rising Islamism in Europe Nazis now apologise.
Don't hold your breath.
Tom Newton Dunn retweeted a suggestion that the The Sun should put Charlie Hebdo's last tweet on their front page tomorrow
Must be tempting to phone in sick if you work there
Since none of the British press had the balls to publish the Jyllens-Posten cartoons (and their exact content was surely of substantial legitimate public interest, never mind journalistic value) then I won't be holding my breath.
It's pretty clear why the press does not have the balls - as you put it - to publish this material. You can if you wish to, though.
I believe its because we have a government which neither values nor defends free speech. See Levinson and Police Scotland.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Awful news. The right reaction should involve a defiant defence of free speech, backed by armed protection (where appropriate) to such publications in future.
Sadly, I doubt that will happen in this case. What will happen instead is quiet (or not so quiet) encouragement by the government to not be so controversial in future, a lot of handwringing and a further rise in support for the FN.
I hope that media publications around the world stand in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo by publishing factual criticism of Muhammad.
I hope those sanctimonious idiots calling all those regular Germans marching against rising Islamism in Europe Nazis now apologise.
Don't hold your breath.
Tom Newton Dunn retweeted a suggestion that the The Sun should put Charlie Hebdo's last tweet on their front page tomorrow
Must be tempting to phone in sick if you work there
Since none of the British press had the balls to publish the Jyllens-Posten cartoons (and their exact content was surely of substantial legitimate public interest, never mind journalistic value) then I won't be holding my breath.
It's pretty clear why the press does not have the balls - as you put it - to publish this material. You can if you wish to, though.
I believe its because we have a government which neither values nor defends free speech.
Governments are brilliant. There is simply nothing we cant blame them for.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Awful news. The right reaction should involve a defiant defence of free speech, backed by armed protection (where appropriate) to such publications in future.
Sadly, I doubt that will happen in this case. What will happen instead is quiet (or not so quiet) encouragement by the government to not be so controversial in future, a lot of handwringing and a further rise in support for the FN.
I hope that media publications around the world stand in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo by publishing factual criticism of Muhammad.
I hope those sanctimonious idiots calling all those regular Germans marching against rising Islamism in Europe Nazis now apologise.
Don't hold your breath.
Tom Newton Dunn retweeted a suggestion that the The Sun should put Charlie Hebdo's last tweet on their front page tomorrow
Must be tempting to phone in sick if you work there
Since none of the British press had the balls to publish the Jyllens-Posten cartoons (and their exact content was surely of substantial legitimate public interest, never mind journalistic value) then I won't be holding my breath.
It's pretty clear why the press does not have the balls - as you put it - to publish this material. You can if you wish to, though.
I believe its because we have a government which neither values nor defends free speech. See Levinson and Police Scotland.
Possibly. My sense, though, is that it is more about there being murderous fucks out there who have shown time and again that they will kill people for printing stuff they do not like whatever the government says or does. You have to be very brave to publish anything risky in such situations and most of us are not that brave.
"John Casey records an exchange between Powell and Thatcher during a meeting of the Conservative Philosophy Group:
Edward Norman (then Dean of Peterhouse) had attempted to mount a Christian argument for nuclear weapons. The discussion moved on to 'Western values'. Mrs Thatcher said (in effect) that Norman had shown that the Bomb was necessary for the defence of our values. Powell: 'No, we do not fight for values. I would fight for this country even if it had a communist government.' Thatcher (it was just before the Argentinian invasion of the Falklands): ‘Nonsense, Enoch. If I send British troops abroad, it will be to defend our values.' 'No, Prime Minister, values exist in a transcendental realm, beyond space and time. They can neither be fought for, nor destroyed.' Mrs Thatcher looked utterly baffled. She had just been presented with the difference between Toryism and American Republicanism"
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Awful news. The right reaction should involve a defiant defence of free speech, backed by armed protection (where appropriate) to such publications in future.
Sadly, I doubt that will happen in this case. What will happen instead is quiet (or not so quiet) encouragement by the government to not be so controversial in future, a lot of handwringing and a further rise in support for the FN.
I hope that media publications around the world stand in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo by publishing factual criticism of Muhammad.
I hope those sanctimonious idiots calling all those regular Germans marching against rising Islamism in Europe Nazis now apologise.
Don't hold your breath.
Tom Newton Dunn retweeted a suggestion that the The Sun should put Charlie Hebdo's last tweet on their front page tomorrow
Must be tempting to phone in sick if you work there
Since none of the British press had the balls to publish the Jyllens-Posten cartoons (and their exact content was surely of substantial legitimate public interest, never mind journalistic value) then I won't be holding my breath.
It's pretty clear why the press does not have the balls - as you put it - to publish this material. You can if you wish to, though.
I believe its because we have a government which neither values nor defends free speech.
Governments are brilliant. There is simply nothing we cant blame them for.
Lame. If you dont defend or value the coastline the entire country doesn't fall into the sea overnight, but little bits continuously fall in and get washed away, and sooner or later you find your country rather smaller than you remember it.
"A former UKIP general election candidate who quit over offensive remarks made in a phone call will contest the seat as an independent.
Kerry Smith is to announce he will run in the Essex seat of Basildon South and East Thurrock, the BBC has learned."
Splitter.
He will be the Party of the Independent Kingdom United ?
An Independence from Europe?
But Mr Smith must know the UKIP strategy for winning the seat, which should cheer up the Tories, as he splits the Purple vote.
That said, on the down side, I've heard from a few sources Mr Smith is an appalling person, and should be a terrible candidate.
I wonder if there is any chance Ukip wouldn't put up a candidate?
Can't see that happening.
What price would you make Independent winning the seat?
No chance. I doubt if Kerry Smith would even get into four figures, against a UKIP candidate. And, UKIP will surely run against him.
When the public see two ferrets fighting in a sack they will not be tempted to look inside and tend towards throwing the sack away.
That's why the combined vote for the Conservatives and Labour is so low. Labour denounces the Conservatives as selfish and heartless; the Conservatives denounce Labour as incompetent. The public conclude that they're both right.
To be fair, that's been the case for at least 35 years, if not longer. What's different now is that they're both no longer mass memvership/movement political parties that can respond to voters and the voters have credible alternatives.
I suppose looking at those polls UKIP can say they have now become the established third force in UK politics as we enter the election year.
For any televise debates LibDems will be included as a party in government but given these polls then realty it will be very difficult not to have UKIP involved. If Farage was actually an MP then it would have been impossible to ignore. I do think UKIp are understated by the "a plague on all your houses" voters who may be drifting to the greens but in smaller numbers.
What's interesting is from the undecideds we do not really know how many of these there are likely to be until the day and which way they will fall.
Out of interest, what's the country with the largest Muslim population that hasn't suffered from Islamic terrorism?
Qater has a low indigenous population but extensively Muslim of course. Having worked there quite a bit even living out there for a period I don't recollect any "terrorist incidents" in the same light as other western and even Middle East or other Muslim countries (Malaysia?) have suffered. So even with a small population they well be the largest Muslim community not to have experienced this.
No doubt someone will now point one incident now but security in general in the that country as we and many others would normally know it is pretty non existent.
Rape was largely unheard of in Scandinavia until recent years. Who is responsible for all those?
A weird claim. See e.g. http://www.dst.dk/da/Statistik/Publikationer/VisPub.aspx?cid=019019 for the actual statistics for Denmark. Rape offences reported have been virtually constant since 2003 (table 1.1.02 in the linked report), at between 2000 and 3000 a year. They believe that this includes an increased willingness to report the offence, though it's still under-reported compared with other crimes.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Awful news. The right reaction should involve a defiant defence of free speech, backed by armed protection (where appropriate) to such publications in future.
Sadly, I doubt that will happen in this case. What will happen instead is quiet (or not so quiet) encouragement by the government to not be so controversial in future, a lot of handwringing and a further rise in support for the FN.
I hope that media publications around the world stand in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo by publishing factual criticism of Muhammad.
I hope those sanctimonious idiots calling all those regular Germans marching against rising Islamism in Europe Nazis now apologise.
Don't hold your breath.
Tom Newton Dunn retweeted a suggestion that the The Sun should put Charlie Hebdo's last tweet on their front page tomorrow
Must be tempting to phone in sick if you work there
Since none of the British press had the balls to publish the Jyllens-Posten cartoons (and their exact content was surely of substantial legitimate public interest, never mind journalistic value) then I won't be holding my breath.
It's pretty clear why the press does not have the balls - as you put it - to publish this material. You can if you wish to, though.
I believe its because we have a government which neither values nor defends free speech. See Levinson and Police Scotland.
Press regulation is not devolved, so you are muddling your governments. As for Police Scotland, they are merely enforcing the law and trying to stop misery being heaped on victims of recent disasters. If they were d4iven to suicide through lack of police action on trolls, you'd presumably complain, or is that all right? It has astounded me how few people on PB actually considered what the tweets in question were - attacking some very vulnerable people.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Awful news. The right reaction should involve a defiant defence of free speech, backed by armed protection (where appropriate) to such publications in future.
Sadly, I doubt that will happen in this case. What will happen instead is quiet (or not so quiet) encouragement by the government to not be so controversial in future, a lot of handwringing and a further rise in support for the FN.
I hope that media publications around the world stand in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo by publishing factual criticism of Muhammad.
I hope those sanctimonious idiots calling all those regular Germans marching against rising Islamism in Europe Nazis now apologise.
Don't hold your breath.
Tom Newton Dunn retweeted a suggestion that the The Sun should put Charlie Hebdo's last tweet on their front page tomorrow
Must be tempting to phone in sick if you work there
Since none of the British press had the balls to publish the Jyllens-Posten cartoons (and their exact content was surely of substantial legitimate public interest, never mind journalistic value) then I won't be holding my breath.
It's pretty clear why the press does not have the balls - as you put it - to publish this material. You can if you wish to, though.
I believe its because we have a government which neither values nor defends free speech. See Levinson and Police Scotland.
Possibly. My sense, though, is that it is more about there being murderous fucks out there who have shown time and again that they will kill people for printing stuff they do not like whatever the government says or does. You have to be very brave to publish anything risky in such situations and most of us are not that brave.
The whole press should have agreed to publish them, with the backing of and security provided by the government. I concede this would only lower the risk, not eliminate it, but as a nation you simply can't be dictated to in this way. Politicians and soldiers take on the residual risk for the rest of their lives when they wage war; is it so unreasonable to expect the press [as a whole] to take the same risks, provided appropriate security is made available?
Of course not Neil, don;t be absurd. The government is to blame for not creating a climate in the country where people who would want to make such a movie are safe from intimidation and summary murder.
Or if you want it another way, the government is to blame for creating a climate where people who would want to criticise islam are unsafe. Monty Python could have made a Mohammed spoof forty years ago with no problem.
"A former UKIP general election candidate who quit over offensive remarks made in a phone call will contest the seat as an independent.
Kerry Smith is to announce he will run in the Essex seat of Basildon South and East Thurrock, the BBC has learned."
Splitter.
He will be the Party of the Independent Kingdom United ?
An Independence from Europe?
But Mr Smith must know the UKIP strategy for winning the seat, which should cheer up the Tories, as he splits the Purple vote.
That said, on the down side, I've heard from a few sources Mr Smith is an appalling person, and should be a terrible candidate.
I wonder if there is any chance Ukip wouldn't put up a candidate?
Can't see that happening.
What price would you make Independent winning the seat?
No chance. I doubt if Kerry Smith would even get into four figures, against a UKIP candidate. And, UKIP will surely run against him.
When the public see two ferrets fighting in a sack they will not be tempted to look inside and tend towards throwing the sack away.
That's why the combined vote for the Conservatives and Labour is so low. Labour denounces the Conservatives as selfish and heartless; the Conservatives denounce Labour as incompetent. The public conclude that they're both right.
To be fair, that's been the case for at least 35 years, if not longer. What's different now is that they're both no longer mass memvership/movement political parties that can respond to voters and the voters have credible alternatives.
Like the SNP. Membership about 3/4 the Tory Party's the last time I heard, and that is in the entire UK.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Awful news. The right reaction should involve a defiant defence of free speech, backed by armed protection (where appropriate) to such publications in future.
Sadly, I doubt that will happen in this case. What will happen instead is quiet (or not so quiet) encouragement by the government to not be so controversial in future, a lot of handwringing and a further rise in support for the FN.
I hope that media publications around the world stand in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo by publishing factual criticism of Muhammad.
I hope those sanctimonious idiots calling all those regular Germans marching against rising Islamism in Europe Nazis now apologise.
Don't hold your breath.
Tom Newton Dunn retweeted a suggestion that the The Sun should put Charlie Hebdo's last tweet on their front page tomorrow
Must be tempting to phone in sick if you work there
Since none of the British press had the balls to publish the Jyllens-Posten cartoons (and their exact content was surely of substantial legitimate public interest, never mind journalistic value) then I won't be holding my breath.
It's pretty clear why the press does not have the balls - as you put it - to publish this material. You can if you wish to, though.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Awful news. The right reaction should involve a defiant defence of free speech, backed by armed protection (where appropriate) to such publications in future.
Sadly, I doubt that will happen in this case. What will happen instead is quiet (or not so quiet) encouragement by the government to not be so controversial in future, a lot of handwringing and a further rise in support for the FN.
I hope that media publications around the world stand in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo by publishing factual criticism of Muhammad.
I hope those sanctimonious idiots calling all those regular Germans marching against rising Islamism in Europe Nazis now apologise.
Don't hold your breath.
Tom Newton Dunn retweeted a suggestion that the The Sun should put Charlie Hebdo's last tweet on their front page tomorrow
Must be tempting to phone in sick if you work there
Since none of the British press had the balls to publish the Jyllens-Posten cartoons (and their exact content was surely of substantial legitimate public interest, never mind journalistic value) then I won't be holding my breath.
It's pretty clear why the press does not have the balls - as you put it - to publish this material. You can if you wish to, though.
I believe its because we have a government which neither values nor defends free speech. See Levinson and Police Scotland.
Possibly. My sense, though, is that it is more about there being murderous fucks out there who have shown time and again that they will kill people for printing stuff they do not like whatever the government says or does. You have to be very brave to publish anything risky in such situations and most of us are not that brave.
I agree with you.. we shouldn't criticise media outlets for being frightened by this kind of thing, I have no qualms in admitting it frightens me
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
Awful news. The right reaction should involve a defiant defence of free speech, backed by armed protection (where appropriate) to such publications in future.
Sadly, I doubt that will happen in this case. What will happen instead is quiet (or not so quiet) encouragement by the government to not be so controversial in future, a lot of handwringing and a further rise in support for the FN.
I hope that media publications around the world stand in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo by publishing factual criticism of Muhammad.
I hope those sanctimonious idiots calling all those regular Germans marching against rising Islamism in Europe Nazis now apologise.
Don't hold your breath.
Tom Newton Dunn retweeted a suggestion that the The Sun should put Charlie Hebdo's last tweet on their front page tomorrow
Must be tempting to phone in sick if you work there
Since none of the British press had the balls to publish the Jyllens-Posten cartoons (and their exact content was surely of substantial legitimate public interest, never mind journalistic value) then I won't be holding my breath.
It's pretty clear why the press does not have the balls - as you put it - to publish this material. You can if you wish to, though.
Just this week leading politicians in Germany, including Merkel herself, accused those marching against Islamism as being racist.
The whole governing class of Europe needs to come crashing down. Muslims need to stop being covered for. There is widespread misogyny, homophobia, sectarianism, scepticism of democracy, opposition to free speech and opposition to religious freedom among pretty much every Muslim population in the world, including in this country. All the social democrats, liberals and moderate conservatives know this, but they're never willing to say it. It's pathetic.
Terrible news from France. There are far too many Muslims in the world, even in the West, that can't seem to handle any criticism of Muhammed.
And God knows the warmongering paedophile deserves criticism.
...
...
Oh sorry I shouldn't have assumed they were "Moslems"
Why not? I did. But then most of us did when Breivik murdered hundreds in Norway.
Rape was largely unheard of in Scandinavia until recent years. Who is responsible for all those?
Thats a dangerous claim (and we know what you are driving at) to make. Especially if its not true. http://www.thelocal.se/20090428/19124 ''However, as Ertürk challenges: “In absolute numbers, the vast majority of the perpetrators of intimate-partner violence are ‘ordinary’ Swedish men.” '' ''In its conclusion, Amnesty blames "deeply rooted patriarchal gender norms" of Swedish family life and sexual relationships as a "major societal flaw" and a reason for the continued prevalence of violence against women in Sweden.'' A recent Norweigian Police Report http://www.scribd.com/doc/76695373/Excerpt-From-Oslo-Police-District-Report-on-Rape said ''The majority of registered perpetrators in cases of reported rape in Oslo in 2010 have Norwegian citizenship, as has been the case in every previous rape study. In 2010 this went for 61.2% of the perpetrators, which is relatively stable compared to the material from 2007 (60.3%). A relatively high proportion, 12.5%, of the registered perpetrators are from other parts of Europe, and taken together almost three quarters of the perpetrators in 2010 have European citizenship. For the rest, 10.5% are from Africa, 9.2% from the Middle East, 4.6% from Asia and 2% from America.'' ''The proportion of perpetrators (unique persons) of Norwegian national background is the group whose representation increases the most, comprising 38.2% of perpetrators. Together this brings the proportion of perpetrators with a European continental background to a total of 51.9%.'' ''Crude generalizations that have given the impression that rapists are only foreigners – and primarily Muslims – are shown to be inadequate and erroneous.'' and '' “The statistics tell us that the safest place for women is outside, on the street – most rapes happen at home,” said Tove Smaadahl, general manager of the Shelter Movement. In a 2005 survey by the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research, 9 percent of female respondents in a relationship reported experiencing sexual assault.''
Rape was largely unheard of in Scandinavia until recent years. Who is responsible for all those?
A weird claim. See e.g. http://www.dst.dk/da/Statistik/Publikationer/VisPub.aspx?cid=019019 for the actual statistics for Denmark. Rape offences reported have been virtually constant since 2003 (table 1.1.02 in the linked report), at between 2000 and 3000 a year. They believe that this includes an increased willingness to report the offence, though it's still under-reported compared with other crimes.
I'm guessing FalseFlag was referring to earlier than that: for example the 50s, 60s, 70s.
Lead cartoonist and editor among the dead. Gunmen asked for people by name...
Bloody hell. This simply cannot stand. It will require a very strong and firm state response if this is not to fundamentally alter the type of society we all live in.
What's the chance Marine Le Pen wins the next presidential election now?
Best price is 7/1.
Wow. I might have some of that, if I didn't think it was in bad taste to bet on it today.
I think it's pretty poor value myself.
Fair enough. I rate her higher than a 12.5% chance myself.
What happened when her dad was in the running for president? "Chirac had one of the biggest landslides in the history of French politics, winning over 82% of the vote."
12:37 The radical Islamic State group threatened to attack France minutes before Hebdo tweeted a satirical cartoon of the extremist group's leader giving New Year's wishes, AP says.
Comments
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11329769/Eurozone-officially-falls-into-deflation-piling-pressure-on-ECB.html
Are the Uigher problems in Western Chine religious or genuine nationalist?
Cue all the 'we stand in solidarity' b8ll from all and sundry.
Meanwhile, no publishing house will ever dare to do something like that again.
At 2010 GE it was 65.1%...
Looks like the Algerian war has restarted, in metropolitan France now.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2900259/Gunmen-kill-11-Charlie-Hebdo-attack.html
Not only has FN support risen, from about 10-15% under her father, to c.20% today, French right wing voters are now far readier to back FN in the second round than they used to be. So, I'd expect a much larger FN presence in the National Assembly in 2017.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11329976/Paris-Charlie-Hebdo-attack-live.html
12 now reported dead...
If you wish you can launch a website in your own name that can be traced to you and publish much material of whatever kind as you like in the name of free speech.
Their best hope is for it all to be forgotten by May. Tractor stats by Cam now won't do it.
Self-censorship is common, especially among PC comedians. You 're allowed to take the piss out of Christianity but who of them try it against Islam? The BBC would disapprove - it smacks of racism.
I remember an old phrase from childhood "You can't say that, you'll get shot." It was said in jest then.
It's a sad day, and I'm sure most of the Muslim community will be horrified. But a small proportion will be cheering. That's the sad part.
It won't be an odd demented monster either. ISIS are not a one-man band
Yes, I'm making assumptions and I'll be pleased to be wrong but ...
Actually I'd better delete that link. It was more graphic than I'd originally thought.
If you made a joke about this current attack on Twitter there's probably a chance the police would investigate it.
Less cant from the politicians would be a good start to redressing the balance.
For goodness sake SO I'm not criticising the publishing houses.
I'm criticising the government that allows them to be dreadfully intimidated. They should be able to publish what they like in knowledge that their safety is guaranteed.
Charb (Stéphane Charbonnier), the news director of Charlie Hebdo, is in critical condition
Paris on maximum terror alert, with press outlets, department stores, places of worship and public transport receiving "reinforced protection", says prime ministerial office.
Wednesday's attack is the worst in France in 50 years.
A. Uighur Board!
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/01/us-germany-immigration-idUSKBN0KA1KZ20150101
Oh wait...
"Julian Assange?"
LOL
It may be in bad taste but - brilliant.
http://order-order.com/2015/01/07/watch-paris-killers-shouting-allahu-akbar/
Correct 100%. Imagine Monty Python making a spoof of the life of Mohammed. It ain;t gonna happen.
I assume it's all the fault of the Western Governments?
"John Casey records an exchange between Powell and Thatcher during a meeting of the Conservative Philosophy Group:
Edward Norman (then Dean of Peterhouse) had attempted to mount a Christian argument for nuclear weapons. The discussion moved on to 'Western values'. Mrs Thatcher said (in effect) that Norman had shown that the Bomb was necessary for the defence of our values. Powell: 'No, we do not fight for values. I would fight for this country even if it had a communist government.' Thatcher (it was just before the Argentinian invasion of the Falklands): ‘Nonsense, Enoch. If I send British troops abroad, it will be to defend our values.' 'No, Prime Minister, values exist in a transcendental realm, beyond space and time. They can neither be fought for, nor destroyed.' Mrs Thatcher looked utterly baffled. She had just been presented with the difference between Toryism and American Republicanism"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enoch_Powell
For any televise debates LibDems will be included as a party in government but given these polls then realty it will be very difficult not to have UKIP involved. If Farage was actually an MP then it would have been impossible to ignore. I do think UKIp are understated by the "a plague on all your houses" voters who may be drifting to the greens but in smaller numbers.
What's interesting is from the undecideds we do not really know how many of these there are likely to be until the day and which way they will fall. Qater has a low indigenous population but extensively Muslim of course. Having worked there quite a bit even living out there for a period I don't recollect any "terrorist incidents" in the same light as other western and even Middle East or other Muslim countries (Malaysia?) have suffered. So even with a small population they well be the largest Muslim community not to have experienced this.
No doubt someone will now point one incident now but security in general in the that country as we and many others would normally know it is pretty non existent.
I wonder how this affects French military activities in the Middle East.
Of course not Neil, don;t be absurd. The government is to blame for not creating a climate in the country where people who would want to make such a movie are safe from intimidation and summary murder.
Or if you want it another way, the government is to blame for creating a climate where people who would want to criticise islam are unsafe. Monty Python could have made a Mohammed spoof forty years ago with no problem.
Now they would almost certainly face murder.
http://freethinker.co.uk/images/uploads/2011/11/covers.jpg
Always a sign you have lost the argument when that is the best the PM can come up with.
Just this week leading politicians in Germany, including Merkel herself, accused those marching against Islamism as being racist.
The whole governing class of Europe needs to come crashing down. Muslims need to stop being covered for. There is widespread misogyny, homophobia, sectarianism, scepticism of democracy, opposition to free speech and opposition to religious freedom among pretty much every Muslim population in the world, including in this country. All the social democrats, liberals and moderate conservatives know this, but they're never willing to say it. It's pathetic.
http://www.thelocal.se/20090428/19124
''However, as Ertürk challenges: “In absolute numbers, the vast majority of the perpetrators of intimate-partner violence are ‘ordinary’ Swedish men.” ''
''In its conclusion, Amnesty blames "deeply rooted patriarchal gender norms" of Swedish family life and sexual relationships as a "major societal flaw" and a reason for the continued prevalence of violence against women in Sweden.''
A recent Norweigian Police Report
http://www.scribd.com/doc/76695373/Excerpt-From-Oslo-Police-District-Report-on-Rape
said
''The majority of registered perpetrators in cases of reported rape in Oslo in 2010 have Norwegian citizenship, as has been the case in every previous rape study. In 2010 this went for 61.2% of the perpetrators, which is relatively stable compared to the material from 2007 (60.3%). A relatively high proportion, 12.5%, of the registered perpetrators are from other parts of Europe, and taken together almost three quarters of the perpetrators in 2010 have European citizenship. For the rest, 10.5% are from Africa, 9.2% from the Middle East, 4.6% from Asia and 2% from America.''
''The proportion of perpetrators (unique persons) of Norwegian national background is the group whose representation increases the most, comprising 38.2% of perpetrators. Together this brings the proportion of perpetrators with a European continental background to a total of 51.9%.''
''Crude generalizations that have given the impression that rapists are only foreigners – and primarily Muslims – are shown to be inadequate and erroneous.''
and
'' “The statistics tell us that the safest place for women is outside, on the street – most rapes happen at home,” said Tove Smaadahl, general manager of the Shelter Movement. In a 2005 survey by the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research, 9 percent of female respondents in a relationship reported experiencing sexual assault.''
'If there was a Richter scale for handwringing I suggest it will explode over the next 24 hrs.'
Re-branding from Labour to the NHS party,makes sense since they have nothing to say about any other issues.
12.45 Famous French cartoonists Cabu, Charb, Tignous and Wolinski all reported killed in the attack.
That is because they caused it.
Why can't that idiotic Gallic dwarf keep his mouth shut ?
"Chirac had one of the biggest landslides in the history of French politics, winning over 82% of the vote."
Let us hope that the injured recover.
Poor France.
Kaboom.
"...there lies the certainty of violence on a scale which can only adequately be described as civil war"
The radical Islamic State group threatened to attack France minutes before Hebdo tweeted a satirical cartoon of the extremist group's leader giving New Year's wishes, AP says.